Speaking in Rome at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Alltech vice president Aidan Connolly presented the results of the 2011 Alltech Feed Tonnage Survey, along with results from previous surveys, showing a steady increase in feed production year on year. The 2011 survey, covering 128 countries, put the total feed at 873 million tonnes. The 2012 survey, due to be published soon and covering more than 130 countries, is expected to show a further increase. For 2013, however, Connolly, presenting at the IFIF-FAO joint meeting, predicted a contraction in the region of 3-5 percent.

The American Angus Association announced new members and officers for its board of directors during the 129th Annual Meeting of Delegates in Louisville, Kentucky. Phil Trowbridge of Ghent, New York, was elected president and chairman of the board, succeeding Jarold Callahan of Edmond, Oklahoma. Gordon Stucky of Kingman, Kansas, was chosen by delegates to serve as vice president and vice chairman. Cathy Watkins of Middletown, Indiana, will serve as the 2013 treasurer.

National Feeder Cattle Summary for Nov. 16

The EPA announced that the agency has not found evidence to support a finding of severe “economic harm” that would warrant granting a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The decision is based on economic analyses and modeling done in conjunction with the USDA and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). “We recognize that this year’s drought has created hardship in some sectors of the economy, particularly for livestock producers,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) praised the House of Representatives’ approval this week of H.R. 6156, which would establish permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia. NMPF and USDEC have actively supported approval of PNTR with Russia as part of work necessary to reopen that market to U.S. exporters. The Russian dairy market has been closed to U.S. dairy products for more than two years due to Russian insistence on certain dairy certificate statements and accompanying facility inspection requirements that were not acceptable to the U.S.

With Congress back in Washington, D.C. for the lame duck session, there are a few key votes which may happen over the next few weeks. One of these votes will be on whether to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status with Russia. Russia joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in August of this year.  

  Chris Parry
Langley, British Columbia
General Manager
Westgen  

Getting updated information at the touch of a button isn’t new. However, having that capability while standing in a field and making decisions based on that technological connection is a growing market for agriculture. Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be participating in a new addition at the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show, the IDEAg Interconnectivity conference, to discuss some of the latest technology being offered to producers. The conference is set for 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 29 in the Grand Plaza of the Amarillo Civic Center.